MASHEKE WARNS UPND OVER THIRD-TERM DEBATE, URGES HICHILEMA TO SHUT IT DOWN
Staunch UPND member Akashambatwa Masheke has warned that attempts to remove presidential term limits could have serious political consequences for Zambia, urging President Hakainde Hichilema to put an end to the growing debate.
Masheke argues that if the Constitution is amended to remove presidential term limits and President Hichilema subsequently contests and loses the 2031 general election, the consequences could extend beyond his family and affect the wider Zambezi region.
“If you change the Constitution and remove the term limits and President Hakainde Hichilema, for some reason, decides to stand and he loses those elections in 2031, I cannot guarantee that the repercussions on not just him as a President and his family, on all of us from the Zambezi region will be far worse than you can imagine,” Masheke said during a Facebook Live broadcast.
He also warned that removing presidential term limits could create difficulties for the country if a future leader abuses presidential power.
Masheke cautioned UPND members championing the proposed changes against becoming overconfident because of the party’s numerical strength in Parliament, reminding them that Zambians ultimately have the final say.
He further urged President Hichilema to redirect attention towards the Grow Zambia Agenda, warning that the ongoing debate could damage the President’s political legacy.
“President, I campaigned for you; I fundraised for you to win a second term. Please, please shut down the term limit debate. Control these excited cadres and our media director. What they’re doing will ruin your legacy,” he said.
Masheke also recalled the political experiences of former presidents Frederick Chiluba and Edgar Lungu, warning the ruling party against underestimating the electorate.
He maintained that presidential term limits should be respected and that no political party should consider itself indispensable.